KUCHING: Sabah and Sarawak are now officially recognised as equal partners with Peninsular Malaysia following the amendment to clause (2) of Article 1 and clause (2) of Article 160 of the Federal Constitution.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar announced that the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2022 (Act A1642) was officially made effective on Friday (Feb 11) after His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah gave his royal assent.
Wan Junaidi described it as another historical day for Sabah and Sarawak as the news was long awaited by the people in both states.
“The amendment to clause (2) of Article 1 and clause (2) of Article 160 of the Federal Constitution was made to clarify the position of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia which is in accordance with matters expressed and suggested in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said during a press conference on the commencement date of the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2022 at Santubong Parliament Service Centre here yesterday.
He revealed that the Act also included amendments to Article 1(2), 160 (2) and 161A (6) and (7) of the Federal Constitution with the federal government’s commitment towards the MA63.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2021 for the amendment of Article 1(2), 160(2) and 161A (6) and (7) Federal Constitution were passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 14 last year with a two thirds majority (199 members) and Dewan Negara with the support of 49 members on Dec 23 last year.
The amendment to Clause (6) and (7) of Article 161A of the Federal Constitution is to recognise the race considered as native or indigenous people as provided in Sarawak’s laws.
“Therefore through this amendment, the definition of native or indigenous race in Sarawak is no longer subject to the provision of the Federal Constitution.
“It instead can be fully determined by the state government through Sarawak’s own state legislation,” he added.
